Mila

Description

This dress comes from our very own and very talented MilasFashion The was part of BurdaStyle’s Open Call for Designers back in late November. MilasFashion’s design certainly fit the bill for the summer in the city theme. Congrats MilasFashion!

I have just finished making this dress. I agree with an earlier post that the sizing is quite weird – I had to make quite a few adjustments to get a final fit, but as a result the darts in the top and under top don’t match which doesn’t give the best look on the breast area. The inner top is really, really low cut so I have ended up placing a hook & eye quite high up the outer top and clipping the shoulder seams to raise the top fit. I didn’t put pockets into the dress because I really don’t need any more bulk around that area.

I am a 34 chest and a 38 hip so I cut a 34 pattern and widen the hip area, but ended up taking the extra allowance off the hips and after a few fittings probably reduced the chest to a size 30.

As a previous comment, I would also not apply the bias binding around the arms until after a fitting, because I reduced the size by taking the the back seam and side seams the armholes needed adjusting accordingly.

I’ve made two of these and the right-hand bust dart (when you’re wearing it) doesn’t match the dart at the top of the skirt on either version, but the left-hand ones line up perfectly. Has anyone else had that problem?

I took a look at the pattern and instructions after reading the user comments. Indeed, the 5/8 seam allowance is included in the patten, so the instructions are consistent with the download. On each pattern piece, it clearly says that a 5/8 seam allowance is already included.

As for how much fabric is necessary, it could be that people are using fabric that is not wide enough for the project. The instructions assume a width of 55 inches and assigns yardage based on that. If someone is using fabric that is 44 inches wide, for instance, he/she would need more yardage than what is indicated on the instruction sheet.

The sizing is weird! According to Burda’s size charts, I am a 38, but I always end up having to size down. For this dress, the pattern indicates that SA is NOT included, but the instructions say it includes a 5/8" SA. Which is right? I guessed that the notes on the pattern were right, but I didn’t have enough fabric to properly cut a 36 or 38 with SA, so I just cut a 38 with no allowance. Even still, I’m swimming in the dress through the waist and the back straps are a full inch too long. Also, this dress is REALLY (no, I mean REALLY) low cut on the inside panel. (My lowest-cut demi bra tries to peek over the top even when I make the adjustment to the back strap length so it sits where it should.)

Recommendations: 1. Give yourself some extra fabric at the top of the inner bodice piece (the contrasting colour.) The outer piece is perfect. 2. DO NOT finish the neckline or the armscyes with your bias tape until the dress is finished minus the hooks and eyes. TRY IT ON before you do so. If not, you might end up in the dilemma I’m in about how to shorten those back straps without unpicking ALL the decorative stitching I used to secure the bias tape…on both the neck and arms. :::facepalm:::

I just wondered if someone could tell me how much fabric you need for the different types of fabric? Like how much you would need for the white part and for the patterned material? As there seems to be only a total amount of fabric given? thanks :)

Mila, Love the look, the colors, the work, the photos. you are the bomb.. a fashion artist! I have not sewn for about 2 years you’ve given me incentive to challenge myself with this one. My daughter will love it! It’s Great!!! Thanks a bunch-Truly, SewQueen2

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